Renyuan Rice Cake

Renyuan Rice Cake

　　In Pingyuan, there is a traditional custom where both the bride’s and groom’s families steam “Renyuan Rice Cake” as a sweet treat to give to relatives and friends during weddings, symbolizing good fortune, reunion, and popularity.

　　The Renyuan Rice Cake is not only visually appealing but also delicious, and it’s not difficult to make. First, soak glutinous rice until soft, then grind it with red yeast rice into rice flour. The glutinous rice flour is mixed with sticky rice flour in a reasonable proportion according to the desired total amount (if only glutinous rice flour is used, the mixture becomes sticky and clumps easily after being shaped into pellets; if only sticky rice flour is used, it becomes too hard and tends to fall apart once formed). The mixture is placed in a basin, with an appropriate amount of water, white sugar, and red yeast rice powder added, then stirred well until evenly combined. After kneading until the dough no longer sticks to the hands, small balls are formed and arranged in a steamer to cook. Once all the steps are completed, the Renyuan Rice Cake must be completely cooled before it can be removed one by one and placed in a dry, ventilated container; otherwise, it may become deformed due to pressure, affecting its appearance. The bright red Renyuan Rice Cake is an essential item for Hakka weddings. The best time to steam it is the day before the girl gets married. Usually, it is the responsibility of unmarried young women or newlywed young wives from close relatives within the clan. According to ancestral rules, the prospective bride cannot touch any part of the process. Elders say that dyeing the Renyuan Rice Cake red and sharing it with relatives and friends to taste signifies that once the girl joins her new family, she will be likable and able to live harmoniously with her husband’s relatives and neighbors, leading a happy and fulfilling life.

　　The groom’s family also steams Renyuan Rice Cake, which is prepared the day before the wedding. Typically, it is the task of the groom’s sisters or sisters-in-law who come to help with the wedding preparations — the prospective groom is also not allowed to participate. On the wedding day, the bride’s Renyuan Rice Cake, along with peanuts, longans, red dates, and other foods, is packed in a red bag and carried into the bridal chamber by the bridal procession, together with the simple and lightweight dowry brought by the bride’s family, and placed on the bridal bed. Whenever relatives and friends come to the bridal room to join in the celebration and catch a glimpse of the bride, the matchmaker or the women sent by the bride’s family to accompany the procession will grab a handful of Renyuan Rice Cake and give it to them, praying that the bride will have good relationships as she begins her new life. Whether the recipients like it or not, they must accept it with a smile, put it in their pockets, and take it home to share with neighbors and friends, extending the good wishes further.

　　Some of the Renyuan Rice Cake steamed by the groom’s family is served as a dessert in the area where guests are received, while the rest is given as a parting gift along with other presents to the bride’s relatives when they return home.